On the road and wanting to work out? Apps help travelers find gyms

TORONTO (Reuters) - Travelers who want to skip the hotel fitness center in favor of local gyms that may offer better equipment, classes and amenities can turn to new apps on their smartphones to buy a day pass to a nearby gym.

“Most hotel gyms are just a small row of treadmills, and maybe a half-complete weight rack. For anyone serious about working out, it’s usually not enough,” said Kevin Bracken, chief executive officer of Gymsurfing based in San Francisco, California.

Gymsurfing, a new iPhone app, helps travelers book day passes to professional gyms with their smartphones, without needing to plan ahead.

Users open the app to see gyms nearby and the price of a day pass, as well as other offers.

“You see a variety of gyms and amenities they offer, such as the type of equipment they have, and whether they have pools, saunas, or spas,” said Bracken.

The gyms available through the app range from corporate-style with state-of-the-art equipment to old-school body building and family-style establishments, with day passes costing between $5 to $20.

The app features passes for gyms in San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Miami and Toronto, with plans to include others.

“Our goal is make it so that as soon as you land in whatever city you’re going to, you can find a place to work out,” he said.
Continued...